After Divorce I Married a Tycoon-Chapter 153: Cannot Sit and Wait for Doom

"Who is it?" Silas Rowan asked, wanting to confirm his suspicion.

Adrian Sutton had originally planned to tell him.

But after thinking it over, he decided against it.

They were all friends now, and saying it would inevitably make things awkward.

Besides, he could see that Roxanne Peyton didn’t seem to have any interest in Silas Rowan.

He didn’t actually approve of his aunt’s meddlesome matchmaking.

Matters of the heart depended on fate; it was better to let nature take its course.

"If you want to completely resolve your current situation, I have an idea for you."

"What kind of good idea could you possibly have?" Silas Rowan shot him an annoyed glance.

He even suspected Adrian might be trying to set a trap for him.

Adrian Sutton said, "Get a girlfriend."

Hearing this, Silas Rowan rolled his eyes inelegantly.

’I knew he wouldn’t have any good ideas. And he’d been so secretive about it.’

"You think dating is like buying cabbage? You just pick one you like and take it home?"

Adrian Sutton glanced at him as if he were an idiot. "You really are that dense."

"Why not just find a fake one to deal with the situation for now?"

Silas Rowan frowned. "A fake one?"

"Have you ever heard of a contract relationship?"

’After all, my current relationship with Claire is just like a contract marriage.’

"Anyway, I’ve given you the idea. It’s up to you to decide what to do."

"Do you want to keep being hounded about marriage, forced into blind dates, and get so annoyed that you have to hide out in a hotel?"

"Or do you want to find someone for a contract relationship, where you both get what you need, and solve the problem once and for all? You should think it over carefully."

"Alright, what are you doing standing there like a block of wood?"

"Hurry up and help carry some dishes."

Silas Rowan carried the dishes in his hands.

But his mind was deep in thought, mulling over the idea Adrian Sutton had just given him.

’Maybe... this really is a good idea. Anyway, it’s not like my dear mother has any high standards for my partner. As long as I’m dating a woman, they’ll probably be overjoyed. But I can’t just casually find some unfamiliar woman to act with me. First, if the acting isn’t convincing enough, it’ll arouse suspicion. My parents aren’t pushovers; the slightest slip-up would expose the whole thing. Second, I won’t get involved with someone I don’t know or understand well. What if she gets clingy later on? It would be a huge pain if I couldn’t get rid of her. So, Adrian Sutton’s idea is a good one... but I can’t think of a suitable candidate off the top of my head.’

’Oh well. At least now there’s a way to solve the immediate problem. As for the perfect candidate, I can just take my time looking for one.’

With that thought, Silas Rowan’s mood instantly brightened.

Even the food in front of him seemed especially fragrant.

After about half an hour of bustling around,

The table was laden with a delicious, home-cooked meal that looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful.

Claire Mercer, acting like the lady of the house, invited Roxanne Peyton and Stella Thorne to sit down and eat.

Adrian Sutton, in the role of the man of the house, served them all rice, one by one.

Seeing the two of them acting just like a normal married couple, Roxanne and Stella couldn’t help but snicker.

Seeing their sly grins, Claire Mercer asked, "What are you two laughing at?"

Roxanne Peyton said, "Nothing. Just super happy that we get to see our idol tomorrow."

Stella Thorne, however, was much more honest. She said with a beaming smile,

"Roxanne and I both think you two are acting more and more like a married couple."

As soon as she said this, Claire Mercer felt her cheeks flush hotly.

Adrian Sutton, on the other hand, was delighted.

Her words were exactly what he wanted to hear.

He silently gave the two of them a thumbs-up in his mind.

After everyone was seated, Adrian Sutton raised his glass:

"This meal is to cheer you two on."

"I wish you both a resounding victory in the upcoming competition."

Roxanne Peyton immediately chimed in with great enthusiasm.

"That’s right! Here’s to my two best sisters achieving a resounding victory! Crush the competition with your talent!"

Claire Mercer looked grateful. "Actually, the final ranking isn’t what’s important."

"What’s important is the experience Stella and I gain during the process."

"Of course, I have confidence in myself, and I have confidence in Stella, too."

Silas Rowan said, "From the qipao you designed for my mother, it’s clear you’re very talented."

"She wore the qipao you designed for her to several banquets in Norcaster and Caspian."

"After seeing it, many of the wealthy ladies asked her which designer made her qipao."

Hearing this, Claire Mercer’s eyes lit up with surprise. "Really?"

"Really," Silas Rowan nodded.

"If you hadn’t been so busy with the competition lately, you’d already have quite a few wealthy ladies asking you to custom-make qipaos for them."

Claire Mercer was happy to be acknowledged by so many people.

She had always known her own capabilities and had always been very confident in herself.

After all, her design skills were highly regarded by several major international brands.

Back in college, she had designed hit clothing and jewelry for a few big brands.

It’s just that she didn’t want the Mercer Family to find out, so she never used her real name.

After marrying Gavin Sinclair, she withdrew from the design world.

Now, by entering this competition, she didn’t want to ride on her own coattails.

She wanted to leave the past behind and start fresh.

"I know my godmother wore the qipao I designed to those important banquets specifically to advertise for me and promote my work."

"I understand her good intentions, and I’m very grateful to her."

Silas Rowan said, "What’s there to be grateful for? We’re family, we don’t talk like strangers."

"Mom was also very proud when she told people the qipao’s designer was her daughter."

"To be honest, Mom’s been beaming with joy lately."

"She tells everyone she meets that she finally has an outstanding daughter. It’s making me a little jealous."

Claire Mercer smiled, a little embarrassed.

Adrian Sutton placed a piece of braised pork rib into his bowl.

"You’re a grown man, getting jealous of your own sister. You’ve got some nerve."

"Here, here... hurry up and eat a rib. Balance out all that acid."

Silas Rowan shot him an annoyed glare.

Then his gaze fell back on Claire Mercer.

"Whether it’s for the competition or anything else, if you ever need help, just ask."

"You’re my sister now, a daughter of the Rowan Family."

"Don’t ever feel embarrassed or think you’re troubling us."

"From now on, the Rowan Family will have your back and protect you. You just focus on doing whatever you want to do."

Hearing Silas Rowan’s words, Claire Mercer was deeply moved.

’Everyone in the Rowan Family treats me so, so well. Sometimes, I even wish I really were a daughter of the Rowan Family. The warmth of family affection that I had never felt growing up—the Rowans gave it all to me without reservation. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve their genuine kindness. I only know that meeting the Rowan Family is my good fortune.’

Adrian Sutton, however, was starting to feel a bit displeased.

’These were all things I could have justifiably said to Claire myself. But my current identity is that of a dirt-poor video blogger and online streamer. I simply don’t have the confidence or the standing to say such things, and now that punk Silas has beaten me to it.’

「Meanwhile.」

Scarlett Jewel was also preparing for the finals.

Ever since the Sinclair Family found out she had made it to the finals, their attitude toward her had changed significantly.

Before, whenever people mentioned her, the Sinclair Family’s daughter-in-law, they would curl their lips and shake their heads in disapproval.

Now that they saw she had some talent, the Sinclair Family was finally starting to hold her in higher regard.

Of course, this was all on the premise that they didn’t know Claire Mercer had also reached the finals.

They didn’t know, and Scarlett Jewel had no intention of telling them.

After dinner, she used the excuse of having to attend the opening ceremony tomorrow to go upstairs and rest early.

The Sinclair Family’s current attitude allowed her to focus on the competition with peace of mind.

’But what’s troubling me now is that Claire Mercer is a formidable opponent. I’ve seen her design talent and skill over the course of the competition these past few days. Besides, the sketchbook she left behind at the Mercer Family home is proof that her abilities are not to be underestimated. If I don’t pull some strings or cause a little trouble for her... then I’ll surely be defeated by Claire Mercer. I can lose to anyone, but I cannot lose to Claire Mercer. I absolutely cannot let Claire Mercer use me as a stepping stone to reach a higher stage. Anyone else would be fine, but not Claire Mercer. Never her. What should I do? I can’t just sit back and wait for defeat. I have to find a way to kick Claire Mercer out of the competition.’